S. Korea summons Volkswagen executive over emissions scandal

Seoul, Aug 18 (IANS) South Korean state prosecutors on Thursday summoned the Managing Director of Volkswagen Korea to question him over allegations the German carmaker fabricated the results of emissions.

The Seoul Central District Court called Volkswagen Korea Managing Director Thomas Kuehl to gather information on allegations the automaker illegally changed parts of the Golf 1.4 TSI to obtain approval from the local government between 2014 and 2015, Yonhap news agency reported.

“I am very sorry for the situation, and I apologise to our customers in the Korean public,” the German Executive told the media.

Kuehl has been in charge of the imports and sales of Volkswagen vehicles in South Korea since 2013.

Last week, prosecutors summoned Johannes Thammer, the Chief of Audi Volkswagen Korea, to interrogate him over all allegations raised.

Thammer, who has been the German carmaker’s local unit Chief since December 2012, has denied the allegations levied against the carmaker.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Environment banned sales and revoked certifications for 80 Volkswagen vehicle models in the country. The ministry also slapped the German automaker with fines of $16 million.

The number of vehicles subject to the administrative measure is 83,000, which were sold here between 2009 and July this year.

The total number of Audi and Volkswagen vehicles, whose certifications have been cancelled so far, is 2,09,000, some 68 per cent of more than 3,00,000 cars that the automaker has sold here from 2007 onward.